Steve Rhodes, editor and publisher of the Beachwood Reporter, talked with CMW about what benefits nonprofit communicators and agencies could gain from pitching to smaller news outlets.

Pitch Steve by emailing him at srhodes@beachwoodreporter.com or calling him at 773-235-8986.

Find more people to pitch your story by subscribing to our Getting On Air, Online & Into Print Media Guide!

Fernando Diaz, Managing Editor at Hoy
How do nonprofits overcome “cause fatigue” when pitching to the media about older issues? Watch the video on how best to pitch Fernando at Hoy.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the annual Making Media Connections conference a success. This year our conference trainings gave attendees new skills to communicate more effectively in order to tell their stories. Our panels gave folks insights and best practices on everything from social media policy to pitching freelancers. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect and build new relationships with reporters and other communications professionals.
Here is what people are saying about the conference:

I really enjoy this conference. The networking opportunities are excellent and for the most part, the panel sessions and workshops
are helpful and engaging. Looking forward to next year! – Stephanie Kuenn, American Library Association

Your organization is terrific. Immensely helpful to me, and I’m happy
that is as helpful to the nonprofits doing truly noble work in our city. –
Guy F. Wicke, Lukaba Productions

I love this conference. It is always refreshing, and both the presenters
and participants are always so helpful and eager to share tips and
stories. Thank you for setting the tone. – RoiAnn Phillips, Health
Connect One

Wonderful value for the price…speakers were knowledgeable
and approachable. – Mayre Press, Freelance Writer

Here are some quick conference highlights:
Did you miss Deanna Zandt’s keynote speech on telling your story in the digital age? Well, no worries you can still check her keynote on “Stories and Strategy In The Digital Age.”

If you didn’t have a chance to check out the “Who’s A Journalist Now” roundtable, check out the videos and summaries of the event.

From mainstream to multimedia, Ray Hanania works “both sides of the wall”

Growing up on the Southside of Chicago prepared journalist Ray Hanania to wear many labels. His schoolyard detractors wouldn’t take “I’m American” for an answer. So, Hanania sought out his father’s advice.

“Well, geesh, you know, don’t tell them your Palestinian. Tell ‘em you’re Syrian or Lebanese,” said his father. Imagine a time when it was okay to be Syrian or Lebanese, says Hanania.

Hanania returned to school, fearful of being beat up by taunting classmates, and offered the bullies this answer:

“Well, my dad said I’m cereal. But I think my mother is lesbian. I don’t know.”

Closing out this year’s Making Media Connections 2010, Hanania admitted he’s technically not a journalist, but he is “the face of the future.” As an award-winning freelance journalist who writes for 18 blogs, pens a column for several Arab news outlets, hosts a radio show, does comedy, and serves as the spokesperson for Cicero, Hanania said he has no desire to go back to working in mainstream media. Read the rest of this entry »